Flexpoint Ford, Shamrock buy world's third-largest audiobook publisher Podium
What's the deal? Investment firms Flexpoint FordDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Shamrock CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → have acquired audiobook publisher Podium EntertainmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → from Presidio InvestorsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the companies announced on September 21, 2026. Music investor GoldState MusicDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → took a minority stake alongside the buyers. Terms were not disclosed.
What each side brings: Founded in 2019, Podium is the world's third-largest audiobook publisher, with a catalog of more than 15,000 titles. It focuses on emerging storytellers, many of whom start as self-published authors — a segment traditional publishers often overlook.
Why now? "What streaming did for independent musicians, digital audio is doing for independent authors," said Mike Morris, managing director at Flexpoint Ford. The firms are extending prior experience in music assets and royalties into audiobook publishing.
What's the endgame? The new owners plan to accelerate Podium's growth and expand its reach across formats and international markets. Former Spotify executive David Kaefer will join the board.
What changes for employees? Podium is partnering with nonprofit Ownership WorksDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to give all staff an ownership stake in the company. The program aims to align employees with the publisher's next phase of growth.
Chief executive officer Scott Dickey framed the deal as a starting point. "This is just the beginning of our story," he said, adding that the partnership is "an opportunity to rapidly extend our capabilities for the authors and storytellers who trust us every day."
The signal: Private equity is treating audiobook publishing the way it once treated music catalogs — as durable, IP-driven assets. As digital audio grows, backers are betting that platforms serving independent creators, rather than traditional gatekeepers, will capture the upside.
Read more: benzinga.com
Image credit: www.ilmicrofono.it
